Method for assigning large sets of characters in different modes to keys of a number keypad for low keypress-data-entry ratio
First Claim
1. A method for assigning large sets of characters in different modes to the keys of a standard numeric keypad for text/data entry on a character-input device comprising:
- (a) associating each key of the numeric keypad with a first non-numeric character mode and one or more other, optional character modes, wherein the first character mode associated with the key includes a pair of characters of a standard alphabetic character set, and wherein the other, optional character modes associated with the key includes at least another non-numeric character;
(b) providing a mode selection key with the numeric keypad for selecting between the first character mode and the other optional character modes; and
(c) enabling text/data entry of alphabetic and other characters via the numeric keypad by interpreting a keypress of the mode selection key to select one of the character modes, and interpreting a keypress of a key of the numeric keypad in the first character mode as selecting the first character of the pair and two keypresses in succession as selecting the second character of the pair for that key, whereby the numeric keypad is enabled for text/data entry accommodating the alphabetic characters of a standard alphabetic character set as well as other characters with an average keypress-per-data-entry (KPD) ratio of less than 2.0.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A key assignment method assigns large sets of alphabetic and other characters and functions to the keys of a standard numeric keypad for text/data entry on an electronic device. Two letters are assigned in pairs to each key of the standard 12-key keypad in a first character mode, and other symbols, characters, or infrequently used letters are assigned in a second or more optional character modes. A mode selection key is provided to select between the modes. In the first character mode, a keypress of a key selects the first letter of the pair and two keypresses in succession selects the second letter. The letter pairs may be assigned in alphabetic order, except for infrequently used letters, such as ‘Q’ and ‘Z’, or in QWERTY order, or in pairs of a more frequently-used letter with a less frequently-used letter. By comparison to the standard phone keypad layout having an average KPD=2.2, this method can achieve a KPD=1.4 or lower. The standard directional arrow keys (RDI keys) may be used for mode selection in multiple character modes. Using the RDI mode selector can transform the conventional 12-key telephone keypad into the equivalent of a 60-key data entry layout (or expandable by 48 more keys for each additional mode keystroke used), thereby allowing operation comparable to a full QWERTY keyboard of characters, with enhanced symbols and functions, and/or with multi-language character sets.
53 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for assigning large sets of characters in different modes to the keys of a standard numeric keypad for text/data entry on a character-input device comprising:
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(a) associating each key of the numeric keypad with a first non-numeric character mode and one or more other, optional character modes, wherein the first character mode associated with the key includes a pair of characters of a standard alphabetic character set, and wherein the other, optional character modes associated with the key includes at least another non-numeric character;
(b) providing a mode selection key with the numeric keypad for selecting between the first character mode and the other optional character modes; and
(c) enabling text/data entry of alphabetic and other characters via the numeric keypad by interpreting a keypress of the mode selection key to select one of the character modes, and interpreting a keypress of a key of the numeric keypad in the first character mode as selecting the first character of the pair and two keypresses in succession as selecting the second character of the pair for that key, whereby the numeric keypad is enabled for text/data entry accommodating the alphabetic characters of a standard alphabetic character set as well as other characters with an average keypress-per-data-entry (KPD) ratio of less than 2.0. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for assigning large sets of characters to the keys of a standard numeric keypad for text/data entry on a character-input device comprising:
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(a) key associating means for associating each key with a first non-numeric character mode and one or more other optional character modes, wherein the first character mode associated with the key includes a pair of characters of a standard alphabetic character set, and wherein the other, optional character modes associated with the key includes at least another non-numeric character;
(b) mode selection means for enabling a mode selection key provided with the numeric keypad for selecting between the first and the other optional character modes; and
(c) software-driven means for enabling text/data entry of alphabetic and other characters via the numeric keypad, said software-driven means being operable to interpret a keypress of the mode selection key to select the first or the other optional character modes, and to interpret a keypress of a key of the numeric keypad in the first character mode as selecting the first alphabetic character of the assigned pair and two keypresses in succession as selecting the second alphabetic character of the assigned pair for that key, whereby the numeric keypad is enabled for text/data entry accommodating the alphabetic characters of a standard alphabetic character set as well as other characters with an average keypress-per-data-entry (KPD) ratio of less than 2.0. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification